CONFUSION reigned as councillors spent almost an hour debating the future of the Mother Hubbard pub site in Loughton, only to withdraw their decision and leave it to another committee to have the final say in September.o

Thornwood-based Ableform Properties wants to demolish the derelict Valley Hill pub and build a three and four-storey development of 37 flats with 36 parking spaces in its place.

The site lies next to Green Walk, a strip of green land which separates Loughton from Buckhurst Hill, and is surrounded by mainly two-storey properties.

Of the 34 two-bedroom and three one-bedroom flats planned 12 are earmarked for affordable housing.

As part of any planning agreement, the developer could have to pay £67,620 to Essex County Council learning services towards the provision of 12 primary school places, and have to make a contribution towards traffic calming and safety measures in Valley Hill.

Residents of Roydon Close, which borders the site, sent a 165-signature petition to Epping Forest Council voicing their disapproval.

Resident Pat Groves told last week's area plans committee that residents believed the development was too big and would lead to a loss of privacy because many of the flats would overlook their back gardens.

There are also fears over loss of light, more noise from extra traffic and the loss of trees from the site.

She said: "The height of this building will surely lead to a loss of privacy for the homes and gardens in Roydon Close because there will be balconies and windows overlooking them.

"In an area which is already heavily populated the highest building is three storeys, so why should a four-storey building now be acceptable in any way shape or form?"

Several councillors including Paul Bostock and ward councillors Stan Goodwin and Stephen Murray objected to the scheme saying it would have an adverse effect on Green Walk and its size and bulk would be out of place in the area.

Committee chairman Michael Heavens called for the planning officers' recommendation that permission should be granted to be overturned but an initial 5-4 vote to refuse permission was scrapped because councillor Len Martin's vote was not counted.

A second vote was tied at 55 with Mr Heavens' casting vote of refusal leaving the Roydon Close residents who attended in a jubilant mood.

However their joy was short lived as the decision was withdrawn when councillor John Gilliham invoked a special clause to transfer the entire application to the next district development control committee meeting in early September.

July 18, 2002 08:30